Following some mid-week chasing for suitable Oppo, Fixture Sec secured us a second trip to Foxbury in four weeks, trying to encourage us to go for a 3-0 series win. With both Skip & Vice away in various capacities, it was left to the returning Muttley to skipper this week. He quickly canvassed opinion on what would be best on this surface – half said field, half said bat, so no help whatsoever. It didn’t matter as ultimately, he lost the toss and we were asked to bowl. Four weeks ago, the pitch proved to be an absolute belter, and this time it was no different…
Walkie, following on from last week’s brilliant spell, was given the new ball with Ram given the ominous task of bowling up the slope. It was a day where Walkie wanted about 15 fielders as his radar was off this week as third man and fine leg got peppered. The opening stand looked untroubled until Ram trapped the stubborn Raisey for 17. I replaced the luckless Walkie and had a difficult chance put down by Shreyas at square leg in which he hurt his hand in the process and had to leave the field for a couple of overs. Another chance came and went as Paul put down a chance at Mid On, possibly put off by the on rushing Muttley as they ended up in a heap on the floor with the ball. Once they had dusted themselves down, Paul from the opposite end managed to strike having the remaining opener caught for 60 by Muttley who took a great catch over his shoulder. Next over I removed the Number 3 bowled via an inside edge for 31 and Foxbury were 116-3 at around the half-way mark. With two big hitters in now, Paul and I breathed a sigh of relief as we were quickly removed from the attack and took our wicket apiece to the outfield. Benty, who bowled well last time here, replaced Paul and struck first ball to remove the skipper for 5 with a caught behind, showing his supreme northern control and power before buggering off and getting married.
After a few more overs of indifferent fielding, Benty then struck twice in an over and thoughts of keeping them to below 200 were very real. Then the wicket we all needed – Raisey Jr top edged a slog sweep to Shreyas at fine leg and he took a great catch to give Benty a fourth wicket of the day. The returning Harry struggled a bit with his line initially but claimed the eighth wicket as Stumpy held on to a great low catch behind the stumps to leave Foxbury 184-8. Enter Russ Pulambo, the tormenter of many a Stone player over the years and he proved he could still play by hitting nine boundaries in an unbeaten 50, but not before Benty had claimed his maiden Stone 5-for by castling the Number 10. Foxbury finished on an imposing 247-9 off 40 over, probably about 50 too many if we’re honest as we didn’t really cover ourselves in glory in the fielding department.
Following an amazing tea which included the classic Scone/Jam/Clotted Cream combo and checking of the football scores for those of us who have teams playing below Premier League standard.
Kuldeep & the evergreen Stumpy opened and for the second time this year Stumpy was involved in a 50+ partnership opening. Kuldeep departed eventually for a fine 23 with 52 on the board. Stumpy followed a little while later for 26 as he was caught with the score moving on to 79. The run rate was good, Tom Purton & Harry were at the crease, and were looking comfortable until Harry perished trying to hit a ball that was perhaps a touch too full and he departed for 10. Tom fell shortly after trying to hit the non-turning spin of Palumbo for a career best [to date -ed.] of 26. Benty followed next ball playing inside a straight one and was cleaned up. I was promoted to the dizzying height of Number 7 and managed to avoid the hat-trick. With Palumbo’s spell complete, Foxbury’s skipper came on to bowl and, after blocking the first ball, Muttley had a massive heave at the second ball and sadly missed. With him out, hopes of victory slowly evaporated.
Shreyas joined me and we were relatively untroubled taking the score up to 147 with the odd boundary and lots of scampering, before I departed for 23 slashing a wide one to point to be caught. Walkie in next but he departed after two balls slapping a part timer straight to cover. He tried to hit his helmet in anger as he walked off but didn’t middle that either 😉 Ram joined his son in the middle and put together a little partnership before he was caught & bowled with one ball left. Paul looked particular unimpressed that he had to go in for one ball, and played a stout defensive shot with only 75 needed off the last ball. Disgraceful.
Player of the day went to Benty who claimed his maiden Stone 5-for, I don’t recall who claimed Shit bag of the day, could have been Walkie for moaning and a crap shot [photographic evidence suggests that this was the case; the helmet-abusing strop after getting out was also a factor -ed.] or the majority of the team for half hearted fielding. Anyway that’s me done for another week, from the Stone’s latest all-rounder 😉 I’m out.
– Rich